HISTORICAL INFORMATION
Overview
of the Military Units
After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the loyalty of all Japanese
Americans were questioned. When they were finally allowed to enlist
for military service, they were placed in segregated units. The
100th Battalion became the first battalion of the 442nd Regimental
Combat Team, but was allowed to keep its name, "100th Battalion
(Separate)" due to the renowned records in its first year of service
overseas. Please go to the Diagram
of Military Units to see how these units, as well as the other
segregated units, were organized. You may also click on the various
units to read about the individual unit histories.
Military
Record of the Military Units
The Japanese American soldiers of WWII proved their loyalty through
the sacrifices they made in service to their country, the United
States. The decorations and awards they earned are a permanent
and indisputable record of their bravery and their patriotism.
For its size
and length of service, the 100th Infantry Battalion and the 442nd
Regimental Combat Team was the most decorated US military unit.
The Military
Intelligence Service (MIS) was credited as having "saved countless
lives and shortened the war by two years" by Major General Willoughby,
General McArthur's Intelligence Chief.
| Decorations
received by the 100th Infantry Battalion and 442nd Regimental
Combat Team |
| 21 Medals of Honor (20 awarded on June 1, 2000) |
| 52 Distinguished Service Crosses (including 19 Distinguished Service Crosses which were upgraded to Medals of Honor in June 2000) |
| 559 Silver Stars with 28 Oak Leaf Clusters (in lieu of second
Silver Star. One Silver Star was upgraded to a Medal of Honor in June 2000) |
| 8 Presidential Unit Citations |
| 1 Distinguished Service Medal |
| 22 Legion of Merit Medals |
| 15 Soldier's Medals |
| 4,000 Bronze Stars with 1,200 Oak Leaf Clusters (in lieu of second
Bronze Star) |
| 9,486 Purple Hearts |
| 12 French Croix de Guerre with 2 Palms (in lieu of a second
award) |
| 2 Italian Crosses for Military Valor |
| 2 Italian Medals for Military Valor |
| Decorations
received by the Military Intelligence Service (MIS) |
| 3 Distinguished Service Crosses |
| 5 Silver Stars |
| 1 Presidential Unit Citation (awarded June 30, 2000) |
| 5 Legion of Merit Medals |
